Science Of Freedom Workbook
Text: "The Philosophy of Freedom" by Rudolf Steiner
Topic 3.3 Chapter 3 Thinking As The Instrument Of Knowledge
3.3 Contemplate Object
Naturalism
[10] There can be no question, then, that thought and feeling are not on the same level when compared as objects of observation. The same could easily be shown for all other activities of the human mind. Unlike thought, they belong in the same category as other observed objects and events. It is part of the unique nature of thinking that it is an activity directed solely on the observed object, and not on the personality who is engaged in the thinking. This is evident even in the way we express our thoughts about an object, in contrast to the way we express our feelings or acts of will. If I see an object and recognize it as a table, I do not normally say, “I am thinking of a table”, but rather, “This is a table.” Yet I could certainly say “I am pleased with the table.” In the first case I am not interested in expressing my relationship with the table, but in the second case it is just this relationship that I am drawing attention to. If I say, “I am thinking of a table,” I have already entered into the exceptional state described above. From this position something always present in our mental activity is observed, although normally it is not noticed.
Theism
[11] The unique nature of thought is that the thinker forgets thinking when actually doing it. What occupies his attention is not thought, but rather the object he is observing while he is thinking.
[12] The first thing we notice about thought is that it is the unobserved element in our normal mental life.
Intuitionism
[13] The reason why we do not notice the thinking that goes on in our everyday mental life is none other than this: thinking is our own activity. What I do not originate appears as something ‘objectively there’ in my field of observation. I see myself before something that is not of my doing. I confront it. I must accept it before I begin my thinking-process. While I am reflecting on the object, I am absorbed in it, my attention is focused on it. To focus the attention on the object is, in fact, to contemplate it by thought. This is thinking contemplation. My attention is not directed toward my activity, but rather toward the object of this activity. In other words, when I think, I do not see the thinking I am producing. I only see the object I am thinking about, which I did not produce.
Worldview Of Realism
"One thing is clear — there is a world spread out around us."
"I recognizes the external world; that is something I see and can think about."
"I restrict myself to what I see around me."
Rudolf Steiner, Human And Cosmic Thought lectures
The topic 3.3 quotes align with the worldview of Realism in the following ways:
"It is part of the unique nature of thinking that it is an activity directed solely on the observed object, and not on the personality who is engaged in the thinking."
This quote reflects Realism's emphasis on the external world as the primary focus of our thoughts. In Realism, the objective reality or the observed object is central, and the thinker's role is to direct their attention and thinking towards understanding this reality, rather than focusing on their subjective experience or personal involvement in the thinking process.
"The unique nature of thought is that the thinker forgets thinking when actually doing it. What occupies his attention is not thought, but rather the object he is observing while he is thinking."
Here, the essence of Realism is captured in the way the thinker becomes so immersed in the external object of their observation that their own process of thinking becomes secondary or even forgotten. The thinker’s entire attention is consumed by the object, indicating that reality – the object of thought – holds precedence over the thinking process itself.
"What I do not originate appears as something ‘objectively there’ in my field of observation. I see myself before something that is not of my doing. I confront it. I must accept it before I begin my thinking-process."
This quote underscores the realist view that the external world exists independently of our thoughts about it. The objects we observe are not creations of our mind; they are objectively there, and we must confront and accept their reality as it is. Our thinking starts from acknowledging these external objects as given, further solidifying Realism’s stance that understanding begins with the external world that exists independently of our subjective perception.
In all these aspects, the focus is on the external world and the objects within it, which are seen as the primary subjects of our thoughts and investigations, a key principle in the Realistic approach to understanding the world.
MODULE 3.3 Contemplate Object
□ STEP 3.3 From expressing personal feelings, to selfless thinking contemplation of object.
1. INTRODUCTION
In Module 3.3 Contemplate Object, we delve into the significant transition from a state of expressing personal feelings to one of selfless thinking contemplation. This progression is a pivotal step towards intellectual freedom and deeper understanding.
When we are primarily expressing personal feelings, our focus is inward, often colored by our subjective experiences, biases, and emotional responses. While this is a natural aspect of our humanity, it can lead to a narrow view of the world. Personal feelings, though valid and important, can cloud our perception and understanding of the world around us. This limited perspective can give rise to increased conflict and misunderstanding, as it becomes challenging to see situations from viewpoints other than our own. Additionally, when societal discourse is driven by these unexamined emotional reactions, it can become polarized and unproductive, leading to a breakdown in communication and mutual understanding.
However, when we engage in selfless thinking contemplation of the world-content, we shift our focus outward. This state of 'focused thinking' allows us to observe and interact with the world more objectively. We set aside personal biases and emotional responses, endeavoring to understand the object of our thought in its own right. This approach fosters a deeper and more accurate understanding of the world, as we are not merely projecting our feelings onto it but are striving to comprehend it as it truly is.
Selfless contemplation of an object requires discipline and practice. It involves training the mind to observe without immediately reacting emotionally, to analyze and synthesize information, and to form concepts based on objective understanding rather than subjective feeling. This form of focused thinking is crucial for personal growth, as it equips individuals with the tools to handle complex situations effectively, to engage in constructive dialogue, and to develop tolerance and empathy.
The journey from expressing personal feelings to engaging in selfless contemplation of the object is not just an intellectual exercise; it is a path to personal and societal transformation, fostering a world that values understanding, empathy, and reasoned dialogue.
Express Personal Feelings: The act of communicating or demonstrating feelings and emotional reactions based on the personal experiences and biases of the personality.
Thinking Contemplation: The cognitive process where the full attention is focused on the object that one is thinking about, devoid of personal biases, emotions, or subjective influences, aiming to understand the object as it is in itself.
Focused Thinking
Focused thinking is crucial for achieving the state of selfless thinking contemplation of an object, as it enables the thinker to direct their cognitive resources away from personal biases, emotions, and subjective experiences, concentrating solely on the object that one is thinking about.
In focused thinking, the mind's attention is deliberately honed in on the object or concept being considered. This concentration allows for a deeper and more objective understanding of the subject matter. By maintaining this focus, the thinker can set aside their personal feelings, experiences, and even their personality, to engage with the object in a more impartial and unprejudiced manner.
For example, consider a scientist studying a natural phenomenon, such as the behavior of a particular animal species. The scientist's goal is to understand these behaviors as they are, not as they might wish them to be or as influenced by their personal experiences with animals.
Here is an example when pre-existing beliefs about animal behavior influence the interpretation of specific actions. A field biologist observes chimpanzees in the wild. The biologist believes that like humans, chimpanzees engage in acts purely for revenge or spite. During observations, the biologist notices a chimpanzee taking food from another. The researcher interprets this action as a deliberate act of revenge, perhaps for a previous conflict. However, this interpretation is influenced by human concepts of spite and revenge. In reality, chimpanzee behavior is driven by a complex mix of social dynamics, survival instincts, and hierarchy. The act of taking food might be more accurately related to asserting dominance, resource competition, or social order within the group, rather than a human-like motivation for revenge.
A cat owner believes that cats show affection in the same way dogs do, expecting overt signs like following them around or wagging tails. When their cat blinks slowly at them or sits nearby (but not in close contact), the owner interprets this as disinterest or coldness. In reality, these are signs of trust and affection in feline behavior. The owner's misunderstanding of cat behavior, based on their beliefs about pets in general, leads them to misinterpret their cat's subtle but genuine expressions of affection.
Focused thinking acts as a tool that enables the individual to transcend their subjective viewpoint, providing a clearer, more objective, and comprehensive understanding of the object. This approach enriches the individual's knowledge and appreciation of the subject.
2. LIFE EXAMPLES
Scenario: Music Listener
Stage 1 - Express Personal Feelings: Upon first hearing a new music genre, the listener feels indifferent, finding the music unrelatable and not to their usual taste.
Stage 2 - Thinking Contemplation: They decide to immerse themselves in just listening. They pay attention to each instrument, the rhythms, the harmonies, and the vocals. They observe how the layers of sound come together, the rise and fall of the melody, and the way the music resonates in the space around them, focusing solely on the auditory experience without assessing or judging its genre or style.
Scenario: Daily Commuter
Stage 1 - Express Personal Feelings: A commuter on a daily train journey feels bored and disinterested, viewing the journey as a monotonous routine.
Stage 2 - Thinking Contemplation: One day, they decide to really look at their surroundings. They notice the varied expressions of fellow passengers, the rhythm of the train's movement, and the changing landscapes outside the window. This detailed observation immerses them in the present moment, allowing them to experience the journey with fresh eyes, free from their usual indifference.
Scenario: Climate Doomsday
Stage 1 - Express Personal Feelings: An individual is overwhelmed by fear and panic upon hearing about climate change doomsday predictions. They are consumed by alarming forecasts and catastrophic scenarios presented in the media and by activists, which leads to a heightened emotional response, characterized by anxiety about the future of the planet and the well-being of coming generations.
Stage 2 - Thinking Contemplation: Recognizing the need for a more balanced perspective, they listen to environmental scientists, policy experts, and even skeptics to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issue. This process involves setting aside initial fears and emotions to objectively assess the evidence, data, and arguments presented by different sides, rather than reacting solely based on fear or despair.
Scenario: Religious Ritual
Stage 1 - Express Personal Feelings: Initially, an individual attends a church service but feels a sense of anxiety and skepticism. They view the rituals and ceremonies as archaic and potentially a waste of time, disconnected from their personal beliefs or modern life. This emotional response is shaped by a combination of personal experiences, doubts, and perhaps a lack of understanding of the rituals' significance.
Stage 2 - Thinking Contemplation: Deciding to approach the situation with an open mind, the individual begins to immerse themselves in the ritual without preconceived judgments. They observe the actions, listen to the words spoken, and immerse themselves into the cathedral architecture, religious art, and symbols, which evoke deep feelings of reverence, spirituality, and connection to a tradition larger than themselves.
Scenario: Time With Parents
Stage 1 - Express Personal Feelings: A grown individual feels a sense of awkwardness and discomfort when spending time with their parents. Despite being an adult, they find themselves slipping into old patterns of behavior and emotional reactions from their childhood or teenage years.
Stage 2 - Thinking Contemplation: In an effort to move beyond these feelings, the individual decides to engage in thinking contemplation during their interactions with their parents. They begin to observe their parents objectively, not just as parental figures but as individuals with their own personalities, experiences, and perspectives. This involves listening attentively to their stories, watching their mannerisms, and understanding their viewpoints.
Scenario: Recent Immigrant
Stage 1 - Express Personal Feelings: An individual harbors feelings of resentment towards a recent immigrant in their community. These feelings might stem from preconceived notions, misunderstandings about the immigrant’s culture, or discomfort with change.
Stage 2 - Thinking Contemplation: The individual decides to engage in a process of thinking contemplation, objectively observing the immigrant's actions and interactions within the community. They focus on the immigrant's character and whether they are contributing to the broader community.
3. THE PHILOSOPHY OF FREEDOM TOPIC 3.3 QUOTE
"There can be no question, then, that thought and feeling are not on the same level when compared as objects of observation."
The quote from topic 3.3 Contemplate Object provides a profound insight into the distinct roles of thought and feeling in our understanding and interaction with the world. It highlights how thinking and feeling operate on different levels when it comes to gaining knowledge and understanding objects of observation.
Thought, as described in the quote, is an activity selflessly directed solely at the observed object, without the personality influencing the thinking. This characteristic of thought elevates it as a tool for acquiring knowledge. When we think, our focus is on the external reality – the object of our thought. For instance, when observing a table, our thinking process involves understanding the table's properties, its utility, its construction, and so forth. The statement “This is a table” reflects an objective recognition of the table's existence and attributes. There is no reference to the self or personal emotions in this recognition. This objective focus makes thinking a more reliable means of understanding and interacting with the world as it allows us to comprehend objects as they are, independent of our subjective feelings or biases.
On the other hand, feelings are directed at the personality – they are reflections of our subjective responses to the world. When we express a feeling, such as saying “I am pleased with the table,” it reveals more about our personal relationship with the object rather than the object itself. Feelings, while integral to our experience, are subjective and vary greatly from person to person. They provide insights into our personal preferences, emotional states, and biases, but they do not necessarily lead to an objective understanding of the external world.
This distinction is crucial in various aspects of life. For example, in scientific research, a researcher must rely on thinking (objective observation and analysis) rather than personal feelings to draw accurate conclusions. In art appreciation, while personal feelings play a significant role, a deeper understanding of an artwork's meaning and context requires thinking contemplation. Similarly, in making ethical decisions, while feelings like empathy are important, objective thinking is essential to consider all aspects and implications of the decision.
While feelings inform us about our subjective responses and personal experiences, thinking allows us to transcend these personal boundaries and engage with the world in a more objective and comprehensive manner. This distinction underlines why thought is regarded as a higher-level activity in gaining knowledge compared to feelings, which are more about personal expression and internal experiences.
4. REFLECTION QUESTIONS FOR THE PRACTICE OF PURE THINKING
Objective: Experience the joy of soaring into the realm of concepts.
What is the relationship between being selflessly observant and being fully present in the moment of observation? How does the practice of selflessness observation impact one's sense of individual or group identity? Can feelings truly be selfless, or are they inherently tied to the self's experiences and desires?
5. THE EDITOR'S CHOICE
In the heart of the city, the newsroom was a hive of activity. Sarah, the editor, stood at the center, her eyes scanning the latest report. The community was reeling from a series of violent crimes, fear palpable in the air. As the editor, Sarah had always championed journalistic integrity and social responsibility. Her team respected her for her unwavering dedication to truth and justice.
As details of the latest incident came in, Sarah's face clouded with concern. The suspect's description included a specific ethnic identity, stirring a turmoil within her. She remembered the countless stories she'd covered, stories that had unintentionally cast shadows over entire communities. Her heart ached at the thought of perpetuating stereotypes that she had long fought against. Her team awaited her decision on how to report the news. Some argued for the importance of including every detail for public safety, while others cautioned against fueling racial biases by disclosing the suspects ethnic identity.
Alone in her office, Sarah's thoughts swirled in a tumultuous sea of emotion. She could feel the weight of her own history, the battles fought against prejudice, the personal triumphs over societal biases that had once held her back. Memories flooded in – instances where she had seen firsthand how careless reporting had cast long, dark shadows over entire ethnic groups, leading to unjust treatment and deep societal divides. The fear of contributing to that narrative gnawed at her. Her heart ached at the thought of her work, her passion, inadvertently becoming a tool for perpetuating stereotypes. She felt a deep, visceral reluctance to add to the torrent of bias that already plagued the news cycle.
The clock's ticking in her quiet office was a stark contrast to the chaos of her thoughts. Sarah forced herself to step back, to view the situation not through the lens of her personal experiences but through the eyes of a dedicated journalist committed to the truth. She pondered the fundamental tenets of her profession – the unwavering commitment to honesty, the duty to inform, and the relentless pursuit of truth. She considered the potential consequences of withholding crucial information: the risk to public safety, the betrayal of journalistic integrity, and the erosion of the trust placed in her by the community. Could she, in good conscience, prioritize her personal convictions over her professional obligation to provide the complete, accurate facts of what happened? Wasn't the core of journalism to shine a light on the truth, however uncomfortable or challenging it might be?
Her mind and heart grappled with these questions, each tug of personal emotion countered by a push for retaining her objectivity. Her feelings urged her towards one path, yet, her trained, journalistic mind argued for another. In this internal battle, Sarah found herself torn between the compassionate empathy of her heart and the steadfast duty of her intellect. Would her love of truth reconcile the divide, or would the fear of unintended consequences guide her hand, leading her down a path where ethics and empathy intersect in uneasy compromise?
Minutes before going live, Sarah sat in the dimly lit control room, the news script in front of her. Her finger hovered over the delete key. Scenes from past reports flashed in her mind – the faces of people unjustly stereotyped, the grateful eyes of those she had helped through honest reporting.
The control room buzzed around her, but Sarah was lost in thought. The news anchor awaited her final script, ready to go on air. Sarah's decision was more than a line in a report; it was a testament to her values, her integrity, and her view of journalism. She looked intensely at the script one last time, pondering the complexity of her decision, the fine line between the harm that might come from a word and the danger that might follow its absence.
6. PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THINKING CONTEMPLATION OF OBJECT
Objective: Adopt an individualistic attitude aligned with principles of freedom.
- Observation Practice
• Choose an everyday object, like a plant, a piece of art, or a household item.
• Spend a few minutes observing it closely, noting its color, texture, shape, and any other physical characteristics.
• Resist the urge to judge or associate personal feelings with the object. Instead, focus solely on its attributes as they are.
• This practice helps in developing the ability to observe without letting personal biases or emotions cloud your perception. - Object Immersion
• Select an object and spend a set amount of time, say 10 to 15 minutes, solely focusing on it. This could be a natural object like a leaf or a rock, or a man-made item like a clock or a painting.
• Observe every detail of the object: its color, texture, shape, weight, and any other characteristic you can perceive.
• Try to keep your thoughts centered on the object itself, avoiding any drift into thinking about your thoughts. - Sketching for Observation
• Take a pencil and paper and sketch the object you are contemplating. The act of drawing requires deep observation and attention to detail.
• This practice can help focus your mind on the physical aspects of the object, rather than your emotional responses to it.
7. CLOSING THOUGHTS
At the heart of thinking contemplation is the pursuit of objective understanding. When individuals shift their focus from internal feelings and emotions to the realities of the external world, they unlock a more precise and unbiased perception. This clarity paves the way for decisions and actions grounded in facts rather than subjective viewpoints and wished for realities. Consider, for instance, a juror in a courtroom who sets aside personal feelings to contemplate the evidence presented objectively. Their ability to focus on the facts leads to a verdict that upholds justice, demonstrating how objective understanding benefits both the individual and society.
Selfless contemplation acts as a powerful antidote to bias and prejudice. By stepping back from personal inclinations and focusing on the object or issue at hand, individuals can approach situations with an open mind. This openness is essential in society, where understanding and respecting multiple viewpoints is crucial for peaceful coexistence. Imagine a community leader who approaches issues by setting aside personal biases, thereby fostering an environment where all voices are heard and valued. In such a setting, people can be judged on character and actions rather than preconceived notions or stereotypes. More decisions can be based on merit and factual understanding rather than on emotional or biased reactions.
A society where individuals and groups consistently engage in unbiased thinking and considerate communication is likely to be more cohesive and cooperative. In such a society, conflicts based on misunderstandings or rigid personal viewpoints are less likely, and collective efforts towards common goals are more effective.
The journey from personal emotional expression to selfless contemplation of the facts is a path towards a more enlightened individual and a more harmonious society. It's a journey that fosters understanding, effective collaboration, and, ultimately, a more peaceful coexistence.
